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The Israeli Public Hopes for Victory over Hamas
(Ha'aretz) Amos Harel - Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and IDF Chief of Staff Herzl Halevi showed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken the military plans for the continued campaign against Hamas and spoke of a few more months of high-intensity combat. Blinken replied: "You don't have that much credit" with the international community. Yet within Israel, there is considerable public pressure on the government to continue the ground offensive. This sentiment comes from the rank and file, from the command rooms and troops, including reservists whose civilian lives came to a screeching halt two months ago. There is a deep sense that Hamas must be removed from power, despite the assessment that entering Khan Yunis and conquering areas in southern Gaza will entail military losses. The testimonies of the torment of hostages in captivity and the belated realization that Hamas methodically weaponized sexual crimes have increased public sentiment, which in turn influences the government. Israel will struggle to achieve its declared aim, the destruction of the Hamas regime, without a ground maneuver to the area where most of the Hamas leadership and remaining military array are located.